All accounts upgrading to Square enix accounts

[Runespider]

In order to better safeguard the account security of PlayOnline users and to provide a more streamlined account management experience, we will be transferring all PlayOnline IDs to the Square Enix Account system.

The transfer process will be available in the last half of July, and will give users access to an improved user interface that will allow account management from any web-browser.

Please visit the following URL for details on all of these changes.
http://support.na.square-enix.com/j/kb59527na

Please note that all users will have to log in and agree to the transfer by August 31, 2011, or they will lose access to PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI.

In the last half of July, a walkthrough detailing the transfer process will be posted on the PlayOnline website as well as the FAQ section of the Square Enix Support Center.

This transfer will require you have a Square Enix Account. If you don’t already have a Square Enix Account, we strongly encourage you to create one in advance at https://secure.square-enix.com/account/app/svc/register. Customers who already have Square Enix Accounts need only complete the transfer process.

We hope you’ll agree that this marks a significant step towards providing a more secure, user-friendly, and responsive experience.

There are still quite a few people that imported FFXI many many years ago, as such they play FFXI from a region other than what their install is. Are they going to be safe with this new change?

Also what changes will this have to everyone that currently plays FFXI? Are you scrapping Playonline, will it affect PS2 users, will people that inherited friends/relatives accounts still be able to carry on playing the accounts they got long ago?

Billing and support is still one of the worst aspects of FFXI, would be nice to put peoples minds at rest about this new change.

Another question, if people have already upgraded to a SE account with a keyfob will this change have no effect at all?

[Rianon]

↑↑　What Runespider said. I know quite a few friends who have been playing since '02 using Japanese accounts with American credit cards, and it would be tragic if this system ends up locking them out of their characters.

[Elexia]

I'm more curious about how it will affect those who have multiple POL IDs on 1 SE account.

[Misi]

"Please note that all users will have to log in and agree to the transfer by August 31, 2011, or they will lose access to PlayOnline and FINAL FANTASY XI."

What does that mean for people who may be taking a break from the game? I know a lot of people who activate and deactivate every few months to take a break and I think if I have to hunt them down and tell them SE is demanding this, will be a huge turn off for them to return to the game in the future. Do they have no say if they don't come back from where ever they are before Aug 31st to comply?

Also curious if this means a security token purchase is going to be mandatory for those who don't have one yet. Along with the other concerns mentioned above.

[Octaviane]

I am hoping SE is scrapping PoL finally, but have all the concerns given above.

Sorry, but I forsee a very large "SPLAT" happening...........................!

Also, will this in any way delay the August Version Update? I can see it happening if this turns out to be a disaster.

[Elexia]

Just the overview sounds like it's going to hurt more than help.

[Crawlerbasher]

This is the first I've heard of this.

Does this only apply for North America or does it effect Europe too?

[bungiefan]

SE IDs don't require a security token, but you must have an SE ID to use a token. They're just pushing POL accounts into SE ID accounts, Regular POL logins will stop working on August 31st, and then it will be SE ID-only.

As for the payment issue for imported accounts, I'm not sure how it's going to work, and will want an English guide. As of the end of 2008, you can no longer change or add Non-JP credit cards to JP accounts, so you have to switch to WebMoney when your card expires, as I had to in 2009. The WebMoney site has an option to turn WebMoney into Crysta, and it has been usable in JP POL Viewer since release of the game. They say they are adding Crysta as a payment option for FFXI when the merger happens. It's just that I'll have trouble reading the menus, and I already have them memorized on what to click in POL Viewer and on the WebMoney site. I'll see what I can do when it happens, but I'll probably post the guide on BlueGartr since you can't post images inside of posts here unless you are a community representative.

[Alhanelem]

There are still quite a few people that imported FFXI many many years ago, as such they play FFXI from a region other than what their install is. Are they going to be safe with this new change?

You will most likely need to use a region-appropriate square enix account, which you most likely are doing already unless you don't have an account at all yet.

Just the overview sounds like it's going to hurt more than help.

To me it sounds like the first step in completely removing playOnline, which I think everyone should be jubulant about.

[Chiibi]

wait.. so basiclly our linked accounts become our main log in thingy?